Reply #10: There's actually a plus side to that

[Nevernose]

Not that there's a lot of good coming from Flint being in a major depression, but it should be easier to attract good workers in an economically depressed area, since the housing, etc. are probably cheaper.

I think GM is looking to the US for a far more immediate, pragmatic issue: public relations. If they build ALL of their stuff overseas, the attitude of many/most people will go from "Buy American!" to "Fuck 'em!" only slighly faster than they can declare bankruptcy.

The problem with American automakers (well, one of them, anyway) is that they're so goddamned shortsighted. SUVs are popular? Ramp up production! And don't bother trying to predict what people will want five or ten years from now -- research into new technologies is unprofitable anyway -- just keep listening to our focus-group echo-chamber...